Apparently, as a gardener I should have an appreciation for all plants, even those that slice and maim, such as agaves and cactus and I do. But it's the type of appreciation you extend to a crocodile when it's just taken a bite of an anaconda. I'm simply glad the croc grabbed the anaconda before it could grab me. I have no desire to garden in chain mail or leather chaps and am convinced most agaves have names not quite honest enough in their depictions of the plants potential. While agave 'Baby Boy' sounds rather sweet, had it been named ' T Rex' or 'Piranha' I'd find the tag less misleading.

Each of these little killers are $20 and guaranteed to die this winter.

However, it occurred to me that maybe if I spent some time with one of these botanical bad asses, I might change my mind. Perhaps my dislike was simply based on a perception of impending slaughter, rather than the reality of a plant that simply needed its own room.

This echeveria scored a perfect 10 on the Snuggle Scale but it isn't cold hardy here, either.

But a trip to the garden center sent me running back to my comfort zone of soft, touchable plants. Several rows of overpriced, non-cold hardy agaves sat plunked in the middle of more mild mannered plants, sharp spears edging each leaf. While I appreciated their drought tolerance and ability to take down small mammals, I stayed away. I drifted towards the cactus and found a short, round sphere that looked like it's spines might be survivable should I accidentally veer too close. I'd barely touched the tip before yelling out, "That little sucker stabbed me!" Although the word I used might have rhymed with sucker, it was actually much stronger. Oops...

I do not like cactus, agaves or any of their murderous brethren and do not want them in my garden. Ever. If that means I have to surrender my status as a True and Genuine Gardener to pick up a card for the Cuddle Club, then so be it. I'll be in the hammock petting my plants.

Saturday, May 9, 2015

I plunge my hands into the soil and squish the lumpy chunks between my fingers. I've left the gloves in the house, tossed into my garden corner near the dog stuff. I don't want protection from the wet mess in the pot, the cold soil too soft against my skin to dull with fabric. I don't want the feeling numbed and I'm silent as I work. Few people see this side of me, deeply internal, analytical, and reflective. It's tucked away and quietly pulled out when needed.

Seed grown 'Mignon Mix' dahlias were root bound in their cups and overdue for transplanting.

I stop and just sit. The sky darkens and the neighbors lights flash on, curtains pulled, and I finally exhale. This has been an odd week, soft curves sharpened by hard truths and difficult decisions. I had planned a warm spot of happy but since when do things go as planned?

The flowers can be reddish burgundy to yellow.

I finish patting the soil around the plants and stand to shake out my shirt, its folds scattering black confetti to the patio below. I toss the trowel to the side and don't bother to sweep. Two dahlias stare back at me and I bend to stroke their broad leaves, round, fat buds firm under my touch. No analysis or guessing required. They're just plants in a pot.

These were very easy to grow from seed. There are more dahlias in the pot in the back. The dahlias in the front will green up quickly in the rich soil.

Saturday, May 2, 2015

There is no sane way to describe what happened today so I'm just going to tell you everything. Last Monday I decided I needed some help in the garden. With schoolwork piling up and weeds taking over, I thought that maybe, just this once, I'd hire an assistant for a single day.I'd spotted an ad in one of the local papers that advertised gardeners to help spring clean your garden. I'd never heard of Odd Bodies Garden Services but since weeding and digging little trenches between the grass and garden is so easy, I thought even a relatively inexperienced gardener could still be useful.

I'm training this 'Major Wheeler' honeysuckle to grow through my trumpet creeper. Who over comes to help will have to leave it alone.

When I called to inquire about the hourly rates and skill level of the gardeners, a man with an strangely deep and slightly weird voice answered. He was a bit of a mumbler and I was becoming frustrated so I decided to end the call and do the work myself when he suddenly started shouting. He was yelling about some guy named Stefano who was the most skilled of their gardeners. He was tall, muscular, and had a big shovel.Excuse me?

I'll need to let them know these bird eggs are fake but the nest is real so they don't worry.

Mr. Odd Bodies continued. Stefano was an expert gardener who celebrated all garden holidays. I had no idea gardeners had holidays but was becoming intrigued. He would email me a confirmation with a photo of Stefano so I knew who to expect.Holy Hot Tamales, Marilyn. When I opened my email, I nearly died. I've attached the photo Mr Odd Bodies sent. After pounding myself on the chest to get my heart beating again, I searched Google for garden holidays and soon realized Saturday, May 2 is World Naked Gardening Day.

How the heck was I supposed to maintain my composure while Stefano worked in my garden completely naked? Naked, Marilyn! As in not-a-single-stitch-of-clothing. I devised a plan to wear huge dark sunglasses so he'd never know where my eyes were while I 'supervised'.

By Saturday morning, I was focusing on ice cubes and glaciers to keep my body temperature down. World Naked Gardening Day was going to be my new favorite holiday. But 10 am came and went and no Stefano. By 11 my cell phone was buzzing like crazy with a notification from Odd Bodies. Stefano was running late and had sent a replacement. Was he crazy? I didn't want a replacement!

When the doorbell rang, I casually answered it. I tried to appear calm, cool, and collected. I adopted my best, "Why yes, I always have gorgeous men wandering my garden naked" attitude. But when the door opened, it was not Stefano who stood on my porch but this guy.

Needless to say, I pulled all my own damn weeds. I hate World Naked Gardening Day.Love, Tammy

The Directory to Online Nurseries, Seed Companies, and Garden Goods

Featured Post

Sometimes one is just not enough. Sometimes 87 is better. As a matter of fact, it is 86 times better. But 88? Pure crazy, I tell ya. ...

Wednesday Rocks

I Went!

Blogger Spotlight

Have you ever been so determined to get a seed to grow but flummoxed by its stubbornness? Then check out Hoe Hoe Grow. Apparently, the trick is to swear at them.

Garden Love

A big pile of gardening love goes out to Jason and Judy at gardeninacity for their enduring kindness.

Check This Out!

I've started making a list of the online nurseries that don't use systemic neonicotinoid pesticides. As I have time to make more calls, hopefully I'll be able to add to this list. If you know of a nursery that is systemic-free, please let me know.

Reality Check

Carpe Diem on the Daily

Follow by Email

Translate

Oops Box

Every gardener has killed plants, pruned the wrong branch, or made other embarrassing, expensive mistakes. Despite having gardened for over 20 years, I'm still learning. This box is my humble pie ala mode.

Just because a plant is next to a weed, doesn't make it a weed. Note to self: quit beheading your plants while you pull weeds!

Welcome to the Party!

2015 Fall/2016 Spring Newbies

New Plants:

* Achillea 'Moonshine' (dry sun)

* Agastache ‘Heat Wave’ (sun)

* Agastache ‘Firebird’ (sun)

* Aster macrophyllus (dry shade)

* Astilbe ‘Amber Moon’ (moist but well drained shade)

*Bradbury's monarda (dry partial shade)

* Carex 'Everoro' (dryish partial shade)

* Chaerophyllum hirsutum 'Roseum' (The common name is hairy chervil, which sounds like a nasty insect.) (partial shade)

About Me

I'm a passionate gardener who's gardened in South Dakota, South Carolina, and in upstate New York near the Canadian border. My current zone 7A garden, in an overdeveloped Virginia suburb near Washington DC, has been my most challenging. My desire to create a true refuge for our native birds and butterflies has helped me battle unpredictable weather and compacted clay soil. My garden isn't perfect, but it's always a beautiful escape. Welcome to Casa Mariposa!!

Why All the Best Plants Come in a Box!

When I first heard about mail order plants, I mentally stuffed the notion in the same brain file as fake cheese, high waisted pants, and pathetic drug addicted annuals that only thrive when hooked up to a constant horticultural IV of Miracle Grow. I WAS WRONG!!! Although still not a fan of fake cheese, pants that come up to my ribs, or fertilizer addicted annuals, I am IN LOVE with the online nurseries listed in my blog!!! They all have outstanding customer service and incredible plants usually not found in local nurseries.

LAZY S'S FARMS - They sell so many plants, I spend days on their website trying to choose just a few to add to my garden each year. Because they are based in the southeast, I can always rely on them for spot-on accurate advice and planting info about each plant. The plants arrive quickly and in perfect condition. Their lists of special plants, such as plants that do well in dry shade or attract pollinators are especially helpful. They sell plants you won't find anywhere else! When I'm desperate for a particular plant, they are my first stop! They also show pictures of the plants growing in a garden setting which really helps me visualize how they'll look in my garden.

NICHE GARDENS - I stumbled upon Niche Gardens through a Google search, and thus, the love affair began! They are smaller than the other nurseries, but carry many fabulous southeastern natives. The plants always arrive in excellent condition with strong root systems. They sell many plants that thrive in our humid summers instead of collapsing into a mildewy mess. I can always count on them for zone 7 natives and efficient, friendly service. If I purchased every plant from them I have circled in their catalog, I'd have to annex my neighbors yard to grow them all!

PRAIRIE MOON NURSERY - Prairie Moon is a virtual Noah's Ark of native species. They sell bare root plants, potted plants, and wildflower seeds. Reading their catalog is like having a private tutor take you through an ecology/botany lesson. Their bare root plants are incredibly affordable and ALWAYS grow! The roots arrive moist and often with top growth. Even the seeds I've purchased from them sprouted this spring. I have beautiful drifts of various types of milkweed and other wildflowers in my garden thanks to Prairie Moon! Thanks to their affordable prices, I can always buy all the plants I want instead of having to choose just a few.